This difference in the cost of production of zinc ores in Mexico and the United States is due in a large measure to a difference in wages.

These facts, it seems to us, speak for themselves on the question of whether or not this Congress in its wisdom should allow the zinc-mining industry to participate in the benefits of a protection that is incidental to a revenue tariff.

Respectfully submitted.

ZINC MINING ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES, By OTTO RUHL, Secretary.

ADDENDA AND EXHIBITS.

[From F. S. Cook's (mining engineer) report.]

CALUMET AND SONORA PROPERTY IN CANANEA, SONORA, MEXICO.

Twenty to fifty per cent zinc; has typical Joplin mill; concentrates run 42 per cent zinc.

Calera Mining Co. Thirteen per cent zinc; concentrates 47 to 49 per cent; producing 25 to 30 tons concentrates per day.

Largest producing zinc mine in this district.

per ton.. $2.70 ..do... 3.85 ..do.... 1.50

Ships approximately 10,000 tons of ore per month. Ore prices kept secret and ore bought by Empire Zinc Co. Two grades, one over 35 per cent; second, from 28 to 35 per cent.

Most labor in this camp done by Mexicans, only whites being superintendents and managing officers.

MONTEREY DISTRICT.

Largest zinc-producing area in Mexico. Mines scattered and at a distance from railroad, one of principal costs being getting ore from mine to railroad. In one instance this amounts to $1 per ton. Labor very cheap-from 12 cents to 75 cents per day. Most of the ore runs over 40 per cent.

From United States Consular Reports, dated October 26, 1908:

"At Picachos the case for ascertaining production cost is simple. Zinc ore alone is produced. The ore is broken down, run to the open, sorted, and loaded into the freight wagons. There is no hoisting or use of power. Practically all the cost is the cost of labor; $3.75 covers mining and sorting. Hauling costs $1.50 per ton, freight to Chihuahua $1.50, to El Paso $1.72, to Kansas points $3.85; total $12.32, United States currency.

"From the mine near San Ysidro a zinc concentrate 45 per cent zinc is produced with the silver-lead concentrate. The ore is found in large masses and the cost of mining very low. The cost of mining is chiefly the cost of labor. Milling enters as a factor here. There is no hoisting and the mine is dry. Mining and milling costs $5.50 per ton. Add freight to Chihuahua $2.50 per ton, to El Paso $1.72, to Kansas points $3.85; total $13.75, United States currency.

"In Santa Eulalia the cost of production is also very low. The ore has been found in the development of the silver mines. It is broken down, hoisted and shipped without sorting. No milling is done, but supervision is costly with present outfit. If we estimate mining and transportation to the main line at $4 per ton, we have to add freight rate to El Paso $1.72, to Kansas $3.85; total $9.57, United States currency."

MEXICAN MINES.

H. B. Pulsifer, mining expert accredited by the State Department to assist consuls at Monterey, Chihuahua, and Saltillo to report upon zinc-mining industry of Mexico, says in a letter to Dr. C. B. Guinn, Webb City:

E. S. Tuttle Mine, Nuevo Leon, 125 miles south of Monterey, 33 miles from railroad and transportation to railroad $2.50. Labor 48 cents per day, cost to mine $2 per ton, 25 per cent zinc ore."

Daily Consular Report, December 7, 1908:

"Mines at Picachos, in Chihuahua, total cost of mining and hauling to points in Kansas, $12.32 per ton.

"Calera mine at San Ysidro in Chihuahua has 45 per cent zinc ore. Total cost mining, handling, freight, etc., to points in Kansas, $13.57 per ton.

"Mine in Santa Eulalia in Chihuahua, the total cost to Kansas points $9.75 per ton, cost at mine $4.

"El Potosi, Santo Domingo, cost of mining $4, freight to Kansas points $4.57." H. B. Pulsifer in letter to Dr. C. B. Guinn:

"El Moro, mining costs $5.56, to railroad $2.50, to smelter $5.95."

Consular Report, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, December 19, 1908:

"Cost of production $2 to $8, freight to railroad $1.25 to $3. Freight to smelter $6.45. H. B. Pulsifer in letter to Dr. C. B. Guinn, November 8, 1908:

"Refugio mine in Neuvo Leon, Mexico, costs $5, freight to railroad $2.25, freight to smelter $5.33."

On December 23, 1909, Consul General Kenna reported from Chihuahua that freight rates to the United States had been raised $1.08 per ton and lowered to Tampico for foreign shipments.

John H. Cape, of Joplin, in sworn statement:

"Mine near Charcas, San Luis Potosi; mining costs $1.50, freight to railroad $2.15, freight to Kansas points $5.85, administration 15 cents; total costs $9.65."

From Consular Report, Monterey, December 7, 1908:

"Mine in Tamaulipas; mining $5, freight to railroad $10, freight to smelter $7.57. "La Malinchi mine near Monterey; mining costs $2, freight to railroad $2.50, freight to smelter $5.45."

The following table is compiled from the consular reports and shows in detail the cost of mining zinc ores in Mexico:

The Joplin mining costs are taken directly from the books of the Joplin mine operators for the years 1910 and 1911. Costs in 1912 were increased 5 to 10 per cent, due to increased cost of labor and supplies. The costs are so arranged as to show the costs in the different stages from mines to the Oklahoma and Kansas smelters.

Mine No. 1.-This is a typical soft-ground mine in the Alba camp. Ore disseminated through a soft matrix of mud, flint, and limestone with a hard stope. Drifts 12 to 14 feet high. Little pumping. Gas engines for mill and compressor. Pumps and hoist driven by steam. Is 100-ton plant with sludge table. Original investment is mill and equipment, $11,000; two 160-foot shafts, $3,200; prospect drilling, $2,000; preliminary drifting, $1,800; total, $18,000. The costs given are the average of a six months' period of operation in which 95 tons per single shift were handled.

Per ton

of rock.

Ore recovery 3 per cent with royalty of 10 per cent. Total cost of ore in bin, $42.81. Cost of ore in bin includes royalty.

Mine No. 2.-Typical disseminated ground in Neck City. Ore disseminated through hard flint and limestone. Drifts, 25 to 35 feet high. Pumping fairly heavy. Gas engine drive for mill, steam employed for compressor, pump, and hoist. The mill is a 200-ton plant. The original investment, mill, and equipment, $14,500, two 180-foot shafts, $6,000; preliminary development, $3,000; prospect drilling, $2,000; total investment, $26,100.

The costs are given for a six-months period with an average tonnage of 185 tons per day, single shift.

Per ton of rock.

$0.009

. 147 .242

.398 . 120 .089

. 124

.015

.005

.014

.019

.784

112

.896

Ore recovery, 3 per cent; royalty, 10 per cent. Average ore price, $41.70. Total cost of ore in bin, $33.38. Cost in bin includes royalty.

Mine No. 3.-Typical sheet ground mine, Webb City camp. Ore in hard flint ground. Drifts, 16 feet high. Pumping fairly heavy. Gas engine drive mill and air compressor. Pumps and hoist driven by steam. Capacity of mill, 200 tons. Original investment is mill and equipment, $16,500; two shafts, $9,800; prospect drilling, $1,600; preliminary development, $4,000; total, $31,900.

The costs given are the average for a six-months period in which 203 tons per day were handled.

Ore recovery 3 per cent, with royalty of 10 per cent; average ore price, $41.70; total cost of ore in bin, $39.47. Cost in bin includes royalty.

Mine No. 4.-Sheet ground mine in the Web City camp. Ore is in hard flint, drifts 18 feet high. No pumping. Pay $60 per month to get water for mill use. Mill driven by gas engine. Expense of gas-driven air compressor divided with a neighboring mill. Mill 200 tons capacity. Original investment is mill and equipment, $12,500; two shafts, $8,600; prospect drilling, $1,800; preliminary development, $4,500; total, $27,400.

The costs given are the average of six months, during which time 179 tons of ore were handled daily.

Ore recovery, 2.7 per cent; average ore price, $41.70; total cost of ore in bin, $40.56; royalty, 10 per cent. Cost in bin includes royalty.

Mine No. 5.-Typical sheet ground mine, in Galena (Kans.) camp. Ore occurs in hard flint ground. Drifts 12 to 14 feet high. Considerable pumping. Electrical power used throughout plant. Is a 250-ton model plant. Original investment approximately $45,000. The costs given are the average of a 12-months period. Number of men employed, 55.

Sheet ground costs

Labor cost.

Power cost.

Powder cost.

Other expenses.

Grand total...

Tons of rock handled...
Tons of concentrates made.

Per ton

of rock.

$0.4006

. 1050

. 1728

. 1616

.8400

106, 581

2,729

Per cent of ore in rock 2.6. Total cost of ore in bin $36.70. Mine No. 6.-Sheet ground mine, located in Webb City, Mo., camp. Ore occurs in hard flint ground. Drifts from 10 to 14 feet high. Little pumping. Driven with gas engine, except steam for hoist; 250-ton modern plant. Original investment approximately $125,000. Cost given for one month's time.

Royalty 10 per cent. Average price of zinc ore $39.
Cost in bin includes royalty.